Geography & environment — Central African Republic
Location, land area, terrain, climate, and natural resources.
Profile updated 2026-06-02
⚡ Geography & environment at a glance
Location, land area, terrain, climate, and natural resources. Key figure for Central African Republic: Africa
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Location & size
- Geographic Location
Africa
- Geographic Coordinates
7 00 N, 21 00 E
- Total Area
240,534 Square Miles 622,984 Square Kilometers
- Land Area
240,534 Square Miles 622,984 Square Kilometers
- Land Boundaries
3,233 Miles 5,203 Kilometers
- Border Countries
Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 467 km, Sudan 1,165 km
Physical geography
- Terrain
Vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills in northeast and southwest
- Highest Point
1,420 Meters
- Highest Point Location
Mont Ngaoui 1,420 m
- Lowest Point
335 Meters
- Lowest Point Location
Oubangui River 335 m
- Natural Resources
Diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil, hydropower
- Irrigated Land
0 Square Miles 1 Square Kilometers
Climate & time
- Time Zone
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Climate
- Climate
Average monthly temperatures range from a low of around 66°F to a high of about 93°F. Most of the precipitation in the area of Bangui occurs between May and October, usually characterized by short, violent thunderstorms. Although it rains hard at times, the sun shines almost every day. Dust, generally sunny skies, and warm weather are the forecast for the dry season (November to April).
- Terrain
Vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills in northeast and southwest
- Location
Central Africa, north of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Total Area
240,534 Square Miles 622,984 Square Kilometers
- Border Countries
Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 467 km, Sudan 1,165 km
Environment
- Environment - Current Issues
Tap water is not potable
poaching has diminished the country's reputation as one of the last great wildlife refuges
desertification
deforestation
- Environment - International Agreements
Party To: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea